Cannula capture mechanism

ABSTRACT

A cannula capture mechanism is described herein. The capture mechanism may include an inner housing, outer housing, and a cannula. The outer housing may be configured to move between a compressed and a decompressed state. An outer surface of the inner housing may include one or more interlock components. When the cannula is exposed from a distal end of the inner housing, the one or more interlock components may interact with one or more interlock surfaces formed in another surface of the catheter device. When the cannula is retracted proximally within the inner housing, the inner housing may contract radially inward causing the one or more interlock components to be separated from the one or more interlock surfaces and the outer housing to move to the decompressed state and extend distally over a distal portion of the inner housing.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/461,365, filed Mar. 16, 2017, entitled CANNULA CAPTURE MECHANISM,which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/314,262, filed on Mar. 28, 2016, and entitled CANNULA CAPTUREMECHANISM, both of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates generally to vascular access devices andassociated methods. More specifically, this disclosure discusses acannula capture mechanism that is configured to capture a cannula tip ina manner that locks the cannula in a shielded position. The cannulacapture mechanism can be used with catheter assemblies.

Generally, vascular access devices are used for communicating fluid withthe vascular system of patients. For example, catheters are used forinfusing fluid (e.g., saline solution, medicaments, and/or totalparenteral nutrition) into a patient, withdrawing fluids (e.g., blood)from a patient, and/or monitoring various parameters of the patient'svascular system.

Intravenous (IV) catheter assemblies are among the various types ofvascular access devices. Over-the-needle peripheral IV catheters are acommon IV catheter configuration. As its name implies, anover-the-needle catheter is mounted over an introducer needle having asharp distal tip. The introducer needle is generally a hypodermic needlecoupled to a needle assembly to help guide the needle and to facilitateits cooperation with the catheter. At least the inner surface of thedistal portion of the catheter tightly engages the outer surface of theneedle to prevent peelback of the catheter and, thereby, facilitateinsertion of the catheter into the blood vessel. The catheter and theintroducer needle are often assembled so that the distal tip of theintroducer needle extends beyond the distal tip of the catheter.Moreover, the catheter and needle are often assembled so that, duringinsertion, the bevel of the needle faces up, away from the patient'sskin. The catheter and introducer needle are generally inserted at ashallow angle through the patient's skin into a blood vessel.

In order to verify proper placement of the needle and/or catheter in theblood vessel, the operator generally confirms that there is “flashback”of blood into a flashback chamber associated with the needle assembly.Flashback generally entails the appearance of a small amount of blood,which is visible within the needle assembly or between the needle andthe catheter. Once proper placement of the distal tip of the catheterinto the blood vessel is confirmed, the operator may apply pressure tothe blood vessel by pressing down on the patient's skin over the bloodvessel, distal to the introducer needle and the catheter. This fingerpressure momentarily occludes the vessel, minimizing further blood flowthrough the introducer needle and the catheter.

The operator may then withdraw the introducer needle from the catheter.The needle may be withdrawn into a needle tip cover or needle cover thatextends over the needle's tip and prevents accidental needle sticks. Ingeneral, a needle tip cover includes a casing, sleeve, or other similardevice that is designed to trap/capture the needle tip when theintroducer needle is withdrawn from the catheter and the patient. Afterthe needle is withdrawn, the catheter is left in place to provideintravenous access to the patient.

The separation of the introducer needle assembly from the catheterportions of the catheter assembly presents numerous potential hazards tothe operators and others in the area. As indicated above, there is arisk of accidental needle sticks if the needle tip is not securedproperly in a needle tip shield. Additionally, because the needle hasbeen in contact with blood in the patient's vasculature, blood is oftenpresent on the needle's exterior as well as inside the lumen of theneedle. As the needle is withdrawn from the catheter, there is a riskthat this blood will drip from the needle tip or come into contact withother surfaces to expose people and equipment to blood. Additionally, ithas been observed that withdrawing a needle from a catheter assemblyoften imparts energy to the parts of the needle assembly. For instance,during needle withdrawal, bending forces can be applied (eitherunintentionally or intentionally) to the needle. Such energy has beenobserved to cause blood to splatter or spray from the needle when theneedle vibrates and shakes as it becomes free from the catheter assemblyand releases the stored energy.

The present disclosure discusses a cannula capture mechanism that allowsa needle to be retracted from an unshielded position to a shieldedposition in which the cannula feature is trapped. Accordingly, thedescribed capture mechanism is configured to lock the needle in theshielded position to significantly limit or prevent accidental sticksand blood exposure after the needle is withdrawn from a catheterassembly.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates to a cannula capture mechanism. In someembodiments, the capture mechanism may include a cannula, an innerhousing, and an outer housing. In some embodiments, the inner housingmay include multiple arms, which may extend distally from a proximal endof the inner housing. In some embodiments, when the cannula is exposedfrom a distal end of the inner housing, the multiple arms of the innerhousing may be splayed radially outward. In some embodiments, when thecannula is retracted proximally within the inner housing, the outerhousing may be configured to move from a compressed state to andecompressed state (“decompressed state” as used herein may refer to astate in which the outer housing is less compressed than when the outerhousing is in the compressed state and does not necessarily refer to astate without any compression of the outer housing). In someembodiments, when the outer housing is in the decompressed state, theouter housing may bias the arms of the inner housing together, which maysecurely close the distal end of the inner housing and prevent thecannula from exiting the distal end of the inner housing.

In some embodiments, when the cannula is retracted proximally within theinner housing, the cannula may be prevented from exiting the distal endof the inner housing as well as a proximal end of the inner housing.Thus, the cannula may be bi-directionally trapped within the innerhousing when the cannula is retracted proximally within the innerhousing. For example, in some embodiments, the cannula may include acannula feature. In some embodiments, when the cannula is retractedproximally within the inner housing, the cannula feature may beconfigured to contact the proximal end of the inner housing to preventthe cannula from exiting the proximal end of the inner housing.

In some embodiments, a compressible portion of the outer housing may becompressed when the outer housing is in the compressed state anddecompressed when the outer housing is in the decompressed state. Insome embodiments, the compressible portion may include a spring, anelastomer, or another compressible member. In some embodiments, thecompressible portion may be baffled or accordion-shaped. In someembodiments, the compressible portion may be compressible along an axisaligned with a longitudinal axis of the cannula.

In some embodiments, movement of the outer housing to the decompressedstate may cause a distal end of the outer housing, which may be radiallyrigid and/or coupled with the compressible portion, to slide distallyover a distal portion of the inner housing, which may bias the arms ofthe inner housing together and seal or close the distal end of the innerhousing. The distal portion of the inner housing may include at least aportion of the arms and may have a first outer diameter when the cannulais exposed from the distal end of the inner housing and a second outerdiameter when the cannula is retracted proximally within the innerhousing. In some embodiments, the second outer diameter may beapproximately equal to an inner diameter of the distal end of the outerhousing and may be smaller than the first outer diameter.

In some embodiments, the cannula capture mechanism may be secured to oneor more of the following when the cannula is exposed from the distal endof the inner housing: a catheter adapter, a side port of the catheteradapter, a non-luer accessible port of the catheter adapter, a septumactivator, and a septum. In some embodiments, an inner surface of thecatheter adapter may be configured to secure the inner housing withinthe catheter adapter when the cannula is exposed from the distal end ofthe inner housing. In some embodiments, the inner surface of thecatheter adapter may also be configured to separate from the innerhousing to release the inner housing from the catheter adapter when thecannula is retracted proximally within the inner housing.

In further detail, an outer surface of the inner housing may include oneor more interlock components that may interact with one or moreinterlock surfaces formed in the inner surface of the catheter adapter.In some embodiments, contraction of the inner housing radially inward,in response to retraction of the cannula proximally within the innerhousing, may cause the one or more interlock components to be separatedfrom the one or more interlock surfaces, which may allow removal of thecannula capture mechanism from the catheter adapter, a distal tip of thecannula being shielded inside the inner housing.

In some embodiments, an inner surface of the side port, the septumactivator, and/or the septum may be similarly configured to secure thecannula capture mechanism within the catheter adapter when the cannulais exposed from the distal end of the inner housing and/or to separatefrom the inner housing when the cannula is retracted proximally withinthe inner housing. For example, the one or more interlock components ofthe outer surface of the inner housing may interact with one or moreinterlock surfaces formed in the inner surface of the side port, theseptum activator, and/or the septum. Contraction of the inner housingradially inward, in response to retraction of the cannula proximallywithin the inner housing, may cause the one or more interlock componentsto be separated from the one or more interlock surfaces of the sideport, the septum activator, and/or the septum, which may allow removalof the cannula capture mechanism from the catheter adapter, a distal tipof the cannula being shielded inside the inner housing. In someembodiments, the septum may be configured to move distally over a fixedseptum activator, and the outer surface of the inner housing mayinteract with one or more interlock surfaces formed in the inner surfaceof the septum.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE FIGURES

In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other featuresand advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a moreparticular description of the cannula capture mechanism brieflydescribed above will be rendered by reference to specific embodimentsthereof, which are illustrated in the appended Figures. Understandingthat these Figures depict only typical embodiments and are not,therefore, to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the inventionwill be described and explained with additional specificity and detailthrough the use of the accompanying Figures in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a partial cut-away view of a representativeembodiment of a catheter device that includes a cannula capturemechanism in which a cannula is exposed from the catheter device;

FIG. 2A illustrates a partial cut-away view of a representativeembodiment of the cannula capture mechanism of FIG. 1 in which thecannula is exposed from a distal end of an inner housing;

FIG. 2B illustrates a partial cut-away view of a representativeembodiment of the cannula capture mechanism of FIG. 1 in which thecannula is retracted within the inner housing;

FIG. 3A illustrates a cross sectional view of a representativeembodiment of the cannula capture mechanism of FIG. 1 in which thecannula is exposed from the distal end of the inner housing;

FIG. 3B illustrates a cross sectional view of a representativeembodiment of the cannula capture mechanism of FIG. 1 in which thecannula is retracted within the inner housing;

FIG. 4A illustrates an exploded view of a representative embodiment ofan outer housing and an inner housing of the cannula capture mechanismof FIG. 1;

FIG. 4B illustrates the outer housing and the inner housing of thecannula capture mechanism of FIG. 1 coupled together;

FIG. 5A illustrates an exploded view of a representative embodiment ofan outer housing and an inner housing of another cannula capturemechanism;

FIG. 5B illustrates the outer housing and the inner housing of thecannula capture mechanism of FIG. 5A coupled together;

FIG. 6A illustrates a partial cut-away view of a representativeembodiment of the cannula capture mechanism of FIG. 1 in which thecannula is exposed from the inner housing, and the cannula capturemechanism is secured to a septum activator;

FIG. 6B illustrates a partial cut-away view of a representativeembodiment of the cannula capture mechanism of FIG. 1 in which thecannula is retracted within the inner housing, and the cannula capturemechanism is separated from the septum activator;

FIG. 7A illustrates a cross sectional view of a representativeembodiment of the cannula capture mechanism of FIG. 1 in which a distaltip is partially exposed from the inner housing;

FIG. 7B illustrates a cross sectional view of a representativeembodiment of the cannula capture mechanism of FIG. 1 in which thedistal tip is disposed in a square-edged sleeve; and

FIG. 7C illustrates a cross sectional view of a representativeembodiment of another cannula capture mechanism in which a first arm anda second arm of the inner housing are different lengths;

FIG. 8 illustrates a partial cut-away view of a representativeembodiment of a catheter device that includes another cannula capturemechanism;

FIG. 9 illustrates a partial cut-away view of a representativeembodiment of the cannula capture mechanism of FIG. 1 in which thecannula is exposed from the inner housing, and the cannula capturemechanism is secured to a septum;

FIG. 10A illustrates a partial cut-away view of a representativeembodiment of the cannula capture mechanism of FIG. 1 disposed in anintegrated catheter; and

FIG. 10B illustrates a partial cut-away view of a representativeembodiment of the cannula capture mechanism of FIG. 1 disposed in theintegrated catheter, the cannula being partially retracted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The presently preferred embodiments of the described invention will bebest understood by reference to the Figures, wherein like parts aredesignated by like numerals throughout. It will be readily understoodthat the components of the present invention, as generally described andillustrated in the Figures herein, could be arranged and designed in awide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following moredetailed description of the embodiments of the bi-directional cannulafeature capture mechanism, as represented in FIGS. 1 through 7, is notintended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merelyrepresentative of some presently preferred embodiments of the invention.

Generally, this application relates to a cannula capture mechanism. Inother words, this application discusses a cannula capture mechanism thatallows a cannula to be moved from an unshielded position to a shieldedposition in which the cannula is prevented from moving distally out ofthe capture mechanism. In some embodiments, the cannula isbi-directionally trapped and also prevented from moving proximally outof the capture mechanism. As used herein, the term “unshielded” mayrefer to circumstances in which the cannula's distal tip is exposed fromthe inner housing of the capture mechanism. Conversely, the term“shielded” may refer to circumstances in which the cannula's tip iscovered, shielded, or otherwise protected by the inner housing of thecapture mechanism. In some embodiments, because the capture mechanismallows the cannula to be locked in the shielded position, the capturemechanism may prevent unintended sticking and/or blood exposure. Tobetter explain the capture mechanism, a more detailed description of themechanism is given below, followed by a more detailed description of themechanism's use.

FIG. 1 illustrates a representative embodiment of a catheter device 10that includes a cannula capture mechanism 12. As illustrated in FIG. 1,in some embodiments, the cannula capture mechanism 12 may include acannula (e.g., needle 14), an engageable cannula feature (e.g., needlefeature 16), an inner housing 18, and an outer housing 20. Additionally,FIG. 1 illustrates that the capture mechanism 12 may be selectively becoupled with a catheter adapter 22. To provide a better understanding ofthe capture mechanism 12, each of the aforementioned components isdescribed in below in further detail.

FIG. 1 illustrates the capture mechanism 12 may include a cannula (e.g.,needle 14). As used herein, the terms “cannula” and “cannulae” may referto virtually any rigid tube that is configured to be inserted into ananimal's body to draw off or to introduce fluid, wherein the tubeincludes a sharpened tip that allows the tube to puncture the body andaccess an intended space. Some examples of such cannulae may includehypodermic needles and other cannulae that may expose their operator tothe risk of unintended sticking or blood exposure.

The cannula may include any cannula that can be used with the describedcapture mechanism, including, but not limited to, a hypodermic needle.Where the cannula includes a hypodermic needle, the cannula may includeany suitable type of hypodermic needle, including an introducer needlefor use in an IV catheter assembly (e.g., an over-the-needle peripheralIV catheter assembly).

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the cannula may include an introducer needle14. When the needle 14 is exposed from the inner housing 18 in theunshielded position, the needle 14 may extend axially through the innerhousing 18 and the outer housing 20 so that the distal tip 24 extendspast the distal end 36 of the inner housing 18 and the distal end 38 ofthe outer housing 20. Additionally, in the unshielded position, a distalportion of the needle 14 optionally extends into a catheter 25 and theouter housing 20 is optionally coupled to the catheter adapter 22.

In some embodiments, the needle 14 may include any component orcharacteristic that prevents the distal tip 24 of the needle 14 fromexiting the proximal end of the inner housing 18. For instance, theneedle 14 may include any suitable needle feature that has an OD that isgreater than an OD of the needle 14 or has at least one surface thatextends laterally past the OD of the needle 14. In one example, theneedle 14 includes an engageable needle feature 16, such as a notchedcrimp feature, a welded ferrule feature, a notch feature, a crimpfeature, or another cannula feature that has an outer diameter (“OD”)that extends laterally past an OD of the cannula. In this example, theneedle feature 16 may include a proximal engagement that is adapted tocontact a surface of the inner housing 18 to restrict proximal movementof the needle feature 16 in the inner housing 18. In some embodiments,the needle feature 16 may include one or more one-way barbs or a notch.Regardless of the specific type of needle feature 16, the needle feature16 may have any suitable characteristic. For instance, the needlefeature 16 may be any suitable shape or size.

In some embodiments, the needle 14 may have any characteristic that issuitable for use with an IV catheter assembly. By way of illustration,FIG. 1 shows an embodiment in which the needle 14 includes a sharpeneddistal tip 24, a lumen 26 (not directly illustrated), an elongatedtubular portion 28 with a substantially constant OD 30, and anengageable needle feature 16. Additionally, each of the needle'saforementioned components may include any suitable characteristic. Forexample, the distal tip 24 of the needle 14 may include a standardbevel, a short bevel, a true short bevel, a bias grind point, a vetpoint, a lancet point, a deflected point (anti-coring), or anothersuitable needle point. In another example, the lumen 26 and elongatedtubular portion 28 may be any suitable size. For instance, the needle 14may be any length or gauge (e.g., from a 7 to a 33 on the Stubs scale)that allows it to be used as the needle 14 in an IV assembly.

As previously mentioned, the capture mechanism 12 may also include theinner housing 18. In some embodiments, the inner housing 18 may be splitlongitudinally to form multiple arms 32. The inner housing 18 mayinclude any number of arms, such as, for example, two, three (asillustrated in FIG. 1), or four. In some embodiments, the arms 32 mayextend distally from a proximal portion, such as a proximal end, of theinner housing 18. In some embodiments, when the needle 14 is exposedfrom the distal end 36 of the inner housing 18, the needle 14 may beconfigured to bias the arms 32 apart. For example, in some embodiments,when the needle 14 is exposed from the distal end 36 of the innerhousing 18 in the unshielded position, the arms 32 of the inner housing18 may be resiliently splayed radially outward by the needle 14, asillustrated in FIG. 1.

The inner housing 18 may be constructed of any suitable material ormaterials, such as, for example, a metal, a metal alloy, a ceramic, aplastic, a polymer, etc. Advantageously, a rigid plastic may allow thedistal tip 24 to embed in an inner surface of the inner housing 18 whenin the shielded position. Surfaces of the inner housing 18 that contactthe needle 14 may include a coating to lower friction between thesurfaces and the needle 14 and/or improve a feel of the needle 14sliding relative to the surfaces. The coating may include, for example,a lubricant and/or a conformal coating. In some embodiments, the innerhousing 18 may be a single piece. In some embodiments, the inner housing18 may include multiple pieces that may be coupled together in anynumber of ways, such as, for example, threading, fitting, snapping,connecting, attaching, fastening, clipping, hooking, or any othersuitable means of coupling.

The capture mechanism may also include the outer housing 20. In someembodiments, when the needle 14 is retracted proximally within the innerhousing 18 to the shielded position, the outer housing 20 may beconfigured to move from a compressed state, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and2A, to a decompressed state illustrated in FIG. 2B. In some embodiments,when the outer housing 20 is in the decompressed state, the outerhousing 20 may bias the arms 32 of the inner housing 18 together, whichmay securely seal or close the distal end 36 of the inner housing 18 andprevent the needle 14 from exiting the distal end 36 of the innerhousing 18.

The outer housing 20 may axially slide or expand over at least a portionof the inner housing 18 when the outer housing 20 decompresses or movesfrom the compressed state, illustrated in FIG. 2A, to the decompressedstate, illustrated in FIG. 2B. The portion of the inner housing 18 overwhich the outer housing 20 slides or expands may be any suitable size orhave any suitable shape. For instance, the portion of the inner housing18 may be substantially cylindrical, cuboidal, tubular, etc. A restoringforce in the distal direction may cause the outer housing 20 to axiallyslide or expand when the outer housing 20 moves from the compressedstate to the decompressed state.

In some embodiments, the outer housing 20 may include a compressibleportion 34, which may be disposed between and/or coupled with a distalend 38 of the outer housing 20 and a proximal end 48 of the outerhousing 20. In some embodiments, the compressible portion 34 of theouter housing 20 may be compressed when the outer housing 20 is in thecompressed state and decompressed when the outer housing 20 is in thedecompressed state. In some embodiments, the compressible portion 34 maybe compressible along an axis aligned with the needle 14. In someembodiments, the compressible portion 34 may include a spring, anelastomer, or another compressible member. In some embodiments, thecompressible portion 34 may be cylindrical. In some embodiments, thespring may be cylindrical and/or coiled. In some embodiments, thecompressible portion 34 may be baffled or accordion-shaped. In these andother embodiments, the compressible portion 34 may include a tube orsleeve, which may be constructed of an elastomer, silicone, a liquidsilicone rubber material, or another suitable material. In someembodiments, the compressible portion 34 may enclose the inner housing18, which may act as a redundant mechanism to ensure any residual bloodon the needle 14 stays within the cannula capture mechanism 12.

In some embodiments, an inner surface of the outer housing 20 mayinclude a coating to lower friction between the inner surface and theinner housing 18 and/or an outer surface of the outer housing 20 mayinclude the coating. The coating may include, for example, a lubricantand/or a conformal coating.

In some embodiments, a proximal end 48 of the outer housing 20 may bedirectly coupled with the proximal end of the inner housing 18, and thedistal end 38 of the outer housing 20 may move distally away from theproximal end of the outer housing 20 and the proximal end of the innerhousing 18 when the outer housing 20 moves to the decompressed state. Insome embodiments, movement of the outer housing 20 to the decompressedstate may cause the distal end 38 of the outer housing 20, which may beradially rigid and/or coupled with the compressible portion 34, to slideor move distally along the inner housing 18.

As illustrated in FIG. 2A, in some embodiments, an inner surface of thecatheter adapter 22 may be configured to secure the inner housing 18within the catheter adapter 22 when the needle 14 is exposed from theinner housing 18. In some embodiments, the inner surface of the catheteradapter 22 may be configured to separate from the inner housing 18 torelease the inner housing 18 from the catheter adapter when the needle14 is retracted proximally within the inner housing 18, as illustratedin FIG. 2B. In further detail, an outer surface of the inner housing mayinclude one or more interlock components 46 that may interact with oneor more interlock surfaces 54 formed in the inner surface of thecatheter adapter 22. The interlock components 46 may be biased against acorresponding interlock surface 54 of the catheter adapter 22 when theneedle 14 is exposed from the distal end 36 of the inner housing 18 inthe unshielded position. Contraction of the inner housing 18 radiallyinward, in response to retraction of the needle 14 proximally within theinner housing 18, may cause the one or more interlock components 46 tobe separated from the one or more interlock surfaces 54, which may allowremoval of the cannula capture mechanism 12 from the catheter adapter22, the distal tip 24 of the needle 14 being shielded inside innerhousing 18. Accordingly, unintentional needle sticks may be prevented,and the cannula capture mechanism 12 may be safely disposed.

Where the cannula capture mechanism 12 is used in conjunction with thecatheter adapter 22, the two can be coupled in any suitable manner thatallows the cannula capture mechanism 12 to be coupled to the adapter 22when the needle 14 is in the unshielded position and to be uncoupledfrom the adapter 22 when the needle 14 is in the shielded position.Also, the capture mechanism 12 may be used with any suitable catheteradapter 22. Further, where the inner housing 18 is selectively coupledwithin the catheter adapter 22 by a coupling mechanism, the couplingmechanism may be located in any suitable position. For example, theinterlock components 46 and the interlock surfaces 54 may be disposedproximally or distally within a lumen 47 of the catheter adapter 22.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate cross sectional views of the cannula capturemechanism 12. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, in some embodiments, the distalend 38 may slide over and snugly fit around a distal portion 40 of theinner housing 18, which may bias the arms 32 of the inner housing 18together and securely close the distal end 36 of the inner housing 18.The distal portion 40 of the inner housing 18 may include at least aportion of the arms 32 and may have a first outer diameter 42 when theneedle 14 is exposed from the distal end 36 of the inner housing 18 andthe outer housing 20 is in the compressed state, as illustrated in FIG.3A. The distal portion 40 of the inner housing 18 may have a secondouter diameter 44 when the needle 14 is retracted proximally within theinner housing 18 and the outer housing 20 is in the decompressed state,illustrated in FIG. 3B. In some embodiments, the second outer diameter44 may be approximately equal to an inner diameter of the distal end 38of the outer housing 20 and may be smaller than the first outer diameter42.

In some embodiments, the distal end 38 may be configured to stop at thedistal portion 40 due to a length of the compressible portion 34 and/ora presence of the interlock components 46 of the inner housing 18, whichmay be disposed at least proximate the distal end 36 of the innerhousing 18 and may act as a stop. In some embodiments, an inner diameter56 of the inner housing 18 at the interlock components 46 may be largerthan the first outer diameter 42 and the second outer diameter 44.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B, the proximal end 48 of the outer housing20 may be directly coupled with the proximal end 50 of the inner housing18. The proximal end 48 may be directly coupled with the proximal end 50in any number of ways, such as, for example, threading (e.g., threads52), fitting, snapping, connecting, attaching, fastening, clipping,hooking, or any other suitable means of coupling.

In some embodiments, the inner housing 18 may include inner walls 58,which may define an interior space 60 through which the needle 14axially extends. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, in some embodiments, whenthe needle 14 is retracted proximally within the inner housing 18 to theshielded position, the needle 14 may be prevented from exiting thedistal end 36 of the inner housing 18. For example, the distal tip 24may contact a surface of the inner housing 18 to restrict distalmovement of the needle 14. In further detail, distal ends of the arms 32may include transverse barriers 62 that extend inwardly and areconfigured to extend towards the longitudinal axis of the needle 14. Thetransverse barriers 62 may contact the distal tip 24 to restrict distalmovement of the needle 14 when the needle 14 is proximally retractedwithin the inner housing 18. In some embodiments, the transversebarriers 62 may contact and/or overlap with each other when the needle14 is proximally retracted within the inner housing 18 and may form aseal that may prevent blood and/or the distal tip 24 from exiting thedistal end 36 of the inner housing 18. The transverse barriers 62 maythereby provide a needle tip capture mechanism that encloses the distaltip 24 to protect people from unintentional sticking and/or to reducethe risk of blood exposure. Additionally or alternatively, the arms 32of the inner housing may include another suitable type of needleshielding component.

As illustrated in FIG. 3B, in some embodiments, when the needle 14 isretracted proximally within the inner housing 18, the needle 14 may alsobe prevented from exiting the proximal end 50 of the inner housing 18.In some embodiments, the needle feature 16 may be retracted proximallyuntil it contacts the proximal end 50 of the inner housing 18,preventing the distal tip 24 from exiting the proximal end 50 of theinner housing 18. For instance, the proximal end 50 of the inner housing18 may include any suitable type of needle shielding component. By wayof example, as illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B, the proximal end 50 mayinclude transverse barriers 64 that extend inwardly and are configuredto extend towards the longitudinal axis of the needle 14. The transversebarriers 64 may contact the needle feature 16 to restrict proximalmovement of the needle 14 when the needle 14 is proximally retractedwithin the inner housing 18. As another example, the proximal end 50 mayinclude a washer, cylinder, wedge, or other suitable component thatincludes a hole that allows the needle 14 to pass but does not allow theneedle feature 16 to pass.

As mentioned, in some embodiments, the distal end 38 of the outerhousing 20 may be radially rigid. In some embodiments, the distal end 38of the outer housing 20 may be substantially radially rigid such thatthe distal end 38 has a degree of flexibility. In these embodiments, aninternally applied radial force may cause the distal end to flex. Thedistal end 38 may radially rigid due to any number of factors. Forexample, the distal end 38 may include an end portion of a spring, whichmay be constructed of a metallic or polymeric or other suitablematerial. As another example, in some embodiments, the distal end 38 maybe coupled with a radially rigid component. In some embodiments, theradially rigid component may be sized and configured to fit around thedistal end 38. In some embodiments, in order to provide stability, theradially rigid component may be sized and configured to fit into thelumen 47 of the catheter adapter 22 and abut inner walls 63 of thecatheter adapter 22 or to fit into a lumen or interior space of a septumactivator and abut inner walls of the septum activator. In someembodiments, the radially rigid component may include a ring constructedof a metallic or polymeric or other suitable material. In someembodiments, the radially rigid component may be separate or integrallyformed with the outer housing 20.

FIG. 4A illustrates an exploded view of a representative embodiment ofthe outer housing 20 and the inner housing 18 in which a radially rigidcomponent 66 is separate from the outer housing 20. Alternatively, insome embodiments, the outer housing 20 may include the radially rigidcomponent 66. For example, the radially rigid component 66 may becoupled with the distal end 38 of the outer housing 20. As anotherexample, the radially rigid component 66 may include an end of thespring portion, which may be coiled. The radially rigid component 66 mayincrease the rigidity of the distal end 38.

FIG. 5A illustrates an exploded view of a representative embodiment ofan outer housing 20 and an inner housing 18 of another cannula capturemechanism 12. In some embodiments, the cannula capture mechanism 12 maycorrespond to the cannula capture mechanism 12 of FIGS. 1-4. In someembodiments, the radially rigid component 66 may be integrally formedwith the distal end 38 of the outer housing 20. Also, as illustrated inFIGS. 5A-5B, in some embodiments, as opposed to directly coupling theproximal end 48 of the outer housing 20 to the proximal end 50 of theinner housing 18 via threads 52 (illustrated, for example, in FIGS.3A-3B and 4A), the proximal end 50 of the inner housing 18 may have alarger outer diameter than an inner diameter of the proximal end 48 ofthe outer housing 20 and may act as a stop, preventing the outer housing20 from moving in a proximal direction.

The inner housing 18 can be configured to selectively and removablycouple to any suitable catheter adapter 22 or another component of thecatheter device 10, in any suitable manner. For example, as illustratedin FIG. 6A, an inner surface of a septum activator 68 may be configuredto secure the inner housing 18 within the catheter adapter 22 when theneedle 14 is exposed from the distal end 36 of the inner housing 18and/or to separate from the inner housing 18 when the needle 14 isretracted proximally within the inner housing 18. For example, the oneor more interlock components 46 of the outer surface of the innerhousing 18 may interact with one or more interlock surfaces 70 formed inthe inner surface of the septum activator 68. In some embodiments, theinterlock surfaces 70 may correspond to the interlock surfaces 54 ofFIGS. 1-3. In some embodiments, a shape of the interlock surfaces 70 mayprevent the inner housing 18 of the cannula capture mechanism 12 frommoving proximally or distally when the needle 14 is exposed from thedistal end 36 of the inner housing 18, as illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6B.Contraction of the inner housing 18 radially inward, in response toretraction of the needle 14 proximally within the inner housing 18, maycause the one or more interlock components 46 to be separated from theone or more interlock surfaces 70 of the septum activator 68, which mayallow removal of the cannula capture mechanism 12 from the catheteradapter 22, the distal tip of the needle 14 being shielded inside theinner housing 18.

In some embodiments, where the cannula capture mechanism 12 is used inconjunction with the septum activator 68, the two may be coupled in anysuitable manner that allows the cannula capture mechanism 12 to becoupled to the septum activator 68 when the needle 14 is in theunshielded position and to be uncoupled from the septum activator 68when the needle 14 is in the shielded position. Also, the capturemechanism 12 may be used with any suitable septum activator 68. Further,where the inner housing 18 is selectively coupled within the septumactivator 68 by a coupling mechanism, the coupling mechanism may belocated in any suitable position. For example, the interlock components46 and the interlock surfaces 70 may be disposed proximally or distallywithin a lumen 71 of the septum activator 68.

In some instances, slow retraction of the needle 14 proximally into theinner housing 18 may cause the transverse barriers 62 of the arms 32 toget stuck on a bevel of the needle 14, as illustrated in FIG. 7A. Inthese instances, the interlock components 46 may release or separatefrom the interlock surfaces 54 or the interlock surfaces 70 when theneedle 14 is retracted proximally, but the arms 32 may not contractradially inward with enough force to cause the transverse barriers 62 tomeet and shield the needle 14 within the inner housing 18.

Thus, in some embodiments, the distal tip 24 may be disposed in agenerally cylindrical and/or square-edged sleeve 72, as illustrated inFIG. 7B. In some embodiments, the sleeve 72 may be tubular and/orinclude an open distal end. Thus, when the interlock components 46 arereleased or separated from the interlock surfaces 54 or the interlocksurfaces 70, the arms 32 may contract radially inward more suddenly,which may allow the transverse barriers 62 to meet and shield the needle14 within the inner housing.

Additionally or alternatively, lengths of the arms 32 may be differentsuch that an inner surface 74 of a particular transverse barrier 62 isseparated from an inner surface 76 of another particular transversebarrier 62 by a first length 78, as illustrated in FIG. 7C. The bevelmay be a second length 80. In some embodiments, the first length may begreater than the second length in order to ensure that when theinterlock components 46 are released or separated from the interlocksurfaces 54 or the interlock surfaces 70, the transverse barriers 62will prevent the needle 14 from exiting the distal end of the innerhousing 18.

FIG. 8 illustrates a partial cut-away plan view of a representativeembodiment of a catheter device 10 that includes another cannula capturemechanism 12. In some embodiments, the inner housing 18 may includethree or more arms 32, as illustrated in FIG. 8.

In addition to the previously described embodiments of the cannulacapture mechanism 12, the capture mechanism 12 may be modified in anysuitable manner that allows it to fulfill its intended purpose. Further,the cannula capture mechanism 12 can be used in any suitable manner. Byway of non-limiting illustration, FIG. 1 illustrates that before theneedle 14 is inserted into a patient's blood vessel (not shown), theneedle 14 extends axially through the inner 18 and outer housing 20 andthrough a distal tip of the catheter adapter 22. Additionally, FIG. 1illustrates that before the needle 14 is inserted into the blood vessel,the needle feature 16 may be is disposed distal to the distal end 36 ofthe inner housing 18. Moreover, FIG. 1 illustrates at least a portion ofthe inner housing 18 may be disposed within the outer housing 20.

Referring now to FIG. 9, in some embodiments, a septum 82 may beconfigured to move distally over a fixed septum activator 84 to open oneor more barriers 86 of the septum 82 and allow the needle 14 to passthrough the septum 82, as illustrated in FIG. 9. In some embodiments,and the outer surface of the inner housing 18 may interact with one ormore interlock surfaces 88 formed in the inner surface of the septum 82in a same or similar manner as the interlock surfaces 54 or theinterlock surfaces 70 described previously. For example, contraction ofthe inner housing 18 radially inward, in response to retraction of theneedle 14 proximally within the inner housing 18, may cause the one ormore interlock components 46 to be separated from the one or moreinterlock surfaces 88, which may allow removal of the cannula capturemechanism 12 from the septum 82 and the catheter adapter 22, the distaltip 24 of the needle 14 being shielded inside inner housing 18.

The described cannula capture mechanism 12 and associated methods mayoffer several advantages over certain prior art needle shieldingdevices. For example, the cannula capture mechanism 12 may be compactand/or may be internal to the catheter device 10. Also, the cannulacapture mechanism 12 may provide needle point protection as well asneedle point blood containment. Additionally, the cannula capturemechanism 12 may provide a positive, tactile feedback to a clinician,indicating the needle 14 is in the shielded position. Further, thecannula capture mechanism 12 also provides a versatile interlockinterface for interfacing with one or more components of a catheterdevice 10, including, for example, the catheter adapter 22, bloodcontrol or port valves, the septum activator 68, etc.

The cannula capture mechanism 12 may be compatible with a variety ofcatheter devices, including, for example, ported, straight, andintegrated catheter devices, as well as ported and straight bloodcontrol catheter devices. Referring now to FIGS. 10A-10B, in someembodiments, when the catheter device 10 includes an integratedcatheter, the interlock surfaces 54 may be disposed distal to a needlehub 90 and/or proximal to a septum 92 of the catheter adapter 22. Inthese and other embodiments, at least a portion of the cannula capturemechanism 12 may be disposed between the septum 92 and the needle hub90. In some embodiments, the interlock surfaces 54 may be disposed onthe septum 92, a septum canister or housing (not illustrated), or on thecatheter adapter 22. In some embodiments, a proximal end of the needle14 may be fixed within the needle hub 90 using any suitable means,including, for example, a feature disposed on the proximal end of theneedle 14 and/or an adhesive disposed within the needle hub 90.

The needle hub 90 may include any shape or size. In some embodiments,the needle hub 90 may have an outer diameter approximately equal to orlarger than an outer diameter of the catheter adapter 22, which mayfacilitate use of the needle hub 90 as an insertion grip when moving theneedle 14 through the catheter hub 90. In some embodiments, the needlehub 90 may extend distally to partially or fully cover the cannulacapture mechanism 12 when the needle 14 is exposed from a distal end ofthe catheter 25, as illustrated in FIG. 10A.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its structures, methods, or other essentialcharacteristics as broadly described herein and claimed hereinafter. Insome embodiments, particular interlock surfaces, such as the interlocksurface 54, may be disposed on a surface of any suitable component of acatheter device, including, for example: a catheter adapter, a septumactivator, a blood control septum, an integrated catheter septum, or aseptum housing. The described embodiments and examples are to beconsidered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive.The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appendedclaims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that comewithin the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to beembraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A catheter device, comprising: an interlocksurface; a catheter adapter; a cannula capture mechanism comprising: anouter housing; an inner housing comprising an interlock component,wherein at least a portion of the inner housing is disposed within theouter housing, wherein the inner housing comprises a plurality of arms;and a cannula that extends into the inner housing, wherein the cannulacomprises a distal tip, wherein in response to the cannula beingretracted proximally with respect to the inner housing and the catheteradapter such that the distal tip is disposed proximal to a distal end ofthe inner housing, the plurality of arms are configured to move inwardlytowards each other, wherein in response to the plurality of arms movinginwardly towards each other, the interlock component is configured toseparate from the interlock surface and the outer housing is configuredto decompress in a distal direction from a compressed state to adecompressed state to bias the plurality of arms of the inner housingtogether to prevent the cannula from exiting the distal end of the innerhousing, further comprising a septum activator, wherein the septumactivator is disposed within an inner lumen of the catheter adapter,wherein an inner surface of the septum activator is configured to securethe inner housing within the catheter adapter when the cannula isexposed from the distal end of the inner housing.
 2. The catheter deviceof claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the septum activator isconfigured to separate from the inner housing to release the innerhousing from the septum activator when the cannula is retractedproximally within the inner housing.
 3. A catheter device, comprising: acatheter adapter; and a cannula capture mechanism, comprising: an outerhousing; an inner housing, wherein at least a portion of the innerhousing is disposed within the outer housing; and a cannula that extendsinto the inner housing, wherein when the cannula is exposed from adistal end of the inner housing, a distal portion of the inner housinghas a first diameter, wherein when the cannula is retracted proximallywithin the inner housing, the distal portion of the inner housing has asecond diameter and a distal end of the outer housing is configured todecompress in a distal direction and slide distally over the distalportion of the inner housing within the catheter adapter to seal thedistal end of the inner housing, wherein the first diameter is greaterthan the second diameter, further comprising a septum activator, whereinthe septum activator is disposed within an inner lumen of the catheteradapter, wherein an inner surface of the septum activator or septum isconfigured to separate from the inner housing from the septum activatorwhen the cannula is retracted proximally within the inner housing.